How to Boot Over Ethernet
Individual computers can boot using software installed on the PC or using a special boot CD provided by the computer's manufacturer. Booting over the Ethernet requires a special booting procedure called Preboot Execution Environment -- or PXE. This procedure allows computers on a PXE server to boot without booting software preinstalled.
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Instructions
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Setting Up
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1
Click “Virtual Machine Manager” to create a virtual network. Then select “Edit,” followed by “Host,” then “Details.” Lastly, click “New (+).”
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2
Select the “Enable DHCP” option. DHCP stands for the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.
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3
Select “Guest with PXE,” “Guest that Needs to Boot from PXE” and “Guest with DHCP” from the options listed, to incorporate the machines into the virtual network.
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4
Configure the virtual machines on the guest network. Select “Start the DHCP Server” from the “Guest with DHCP Server” option. Select “Update gPXE to gPXE 1.0.1” from the “Guest with Acronis PXE Server” option.
Performing the PXE Boot
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5
Set up the network boot by selecting “Edit,” “Virtual Machine,” ”Details,” "Boot,” “Network,” then “Boot.”
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6
Run one of the virtual machines, and immediately upon starting the boot press “Ctrl + B.”
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7
Go into the gPXE command line utility, perform the DHCP bet0 command, then press the “Enter” key.
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8
Specify the configuring (config) command. Specify the IP address for next server parameter.
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9
Enter “bootwiz.bin.” as the filename parameter.
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10
Close out the configuration utility menu and command autoboot.
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Tips & Warnings
All steps must be performed to assist in PXE rebooting or the command will fail.
The PXE reboot will not work unless the DHCP server is present. The DHCP will allocate the IP address needed during the PXE reboot process.
References
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